Under Your Nails: Poems of Love, Loss, and Healing is Lauren Marelli's debut poetry book. As the title suggests, it has themes of love and loss and illness and health. It consists of short yet striking and powerful poems filled with strong emotions. Having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and having had her fair share of troubles in relationships, Lauren's work aims to comfort those who face similar troubles by relating to her poetry through relief, pain, or catharsis. The title and cover illustration by Euan Monaghan set the tone for this anthology of fiery passion, emotional see-sawing, and abuse that is followed by satisfaction and deep healing.

Under Your Nails surprised me in numerous ways. The more I read it, the more intriguing and satisfying it became, ultimately culminating in a brilliant conclusion of introspection and deep emotion. I truly felt moved by Lauren Marelli's personal story and use of words that carry with them such strong emotions and feelings. It took me a few good hours to digest the emotions that had come up in me, and this is a testament to Lauren's writing ability. There is a good use of simile in Under Your Nails, and elements of nature are often employed. This points to the grounding effect it has on readers and the similar grounding Lauren experienced after her troubled and abusive relationships. If you can handle an emotional rollercoaster and are ready to face pent-up feelings, Under Your Nails is an extraordinary poetry collection to fulfill your need for healing.

Lauren Marelli writes about love, loss, and healing in Under Your Nails. These selections are for people who may need reassurance that they are not alone in their feelings after they have experienced the deep and lasting hurt inflicted by romantic partners. Many poems reveal feelings that aren't exactly love and provide toxic circumstances, or conformity to a lover as you wait for them to make adjustments for you. Others touch on what you leave behind after a romantic partner or other individual has taken what they want from you, or losing yourself in the arms of a lover until it feels like they have consumed you. The free-form verses allow readers to feel the emotions they may have denied themselves and show the author's growth as she reveals her wounds.

If you have ever lost yourself in a relationship or welcomed someone into your life who openly showed their toxic traits, Lauren Marelli has a poem that will match any of the moods you may have had as you watched the person devour you. Many women, like me, end up in situations where we try to match the color of our lipstick to our lover's red flags, and it's nice to know we are not alone. "Lessons" especially moved me as the words reminded me of the way women are sometimes taught to perform and respond to sex. The title poem will remind readers many times when someone has taken something emotional from you that you have also left your mark on them. Readers who enjoy reading poetry about reactions to the unhealthy power dynamics in relationships and the healing afterward will love Under Your Nails.

Under Your Nails is a captivating collection of poems focusing on themes of love, loss, heartbreak, and healing. Lauren Marelli's poetry collection covers various facets of romantic relationships from the point of view of a young woman. With her mesmerizing verses, Marelli explores how people can fall in love with someone who is not only uncaring but also wants to change them as a person. In one of the poems, the narrator accepts herself as the one haunting her former lover, who left her for another woman. Another poem touches upon a relationship where two lovers bring out the worst in each other. Yet another poem shows how the narrator can't help loving someone who makes her feel broken. These poems delve into the innermost feelings of people in complicated relationships.

Under Your Nails explores romantic aspects of the human experience in its full spectrum of emotions and feelings. Lauren Marelli draws from her own experiences to present an enthralling poetry collection that is authentic, heartfelt, and gives the reader a lot to contemplate. These poems also demonstrate how traumatic experiences shape a person's outlook toward life and relationships, as they become the baggage that hinders one's ability to forge new relationships without falling back into old patterns. Marelli has a distinctive poetic voice that will appeal to a broad range of poetry lovers. The author is a master of her craft as her verses resonate with the deepest parts of your soul, even if you don't relate to the stories told in the poems. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it!

Under Your Nails is a collection of confessional poetry by Lauren Marelli that explores the complexities of human emotion. Each piece captures the essence of love, loss, and the journey toward healing, making it a powerful read for anyone seeking to understand the depths of their emotional landscapes. The poems vary in length and structure, offering a dynamic read that mirrors the unpredictable nature of emotions. From the achingly tender “Red,” where the desire for a symbol of love is palpable, to the stark reality of emotional exposure in “Under Your Nails,” the collection navigates through the shadows and light of personal growth and self-discovery.

Lauren Marelli’s writing style is beautifully raw and unfiltered, weaving vivid imagery with a delicate precision that touches the soul. Her personal and often autobiographical subject matter explores the intimate aspects of her life, particularly her struggles with mental health, relationships, and inner conflicts. Each poem vividly captures raw emotions and experiences, engaging with themes of love, loss, healing, and personal turmoil reflectively and candidly. The imagery and emotional depth align well with the confessional style, inviting readers into the most private corners of her psyche and making her poetry relatable on a universal level through individual experiences. Marelli’s skill in conveying complex feelings in a few stanzas is remarkable. Each poem is a snapshot of a moment, an emotion, or a realization. Marelli’s ability to connect with readers is evident through her portrayal of vulnerability, making Under Your Nails a sanctuary for those who feel deeply and often struggle to articulate their innermost thoughts. Marelli offers her words and a hand to hold in the journey through the darker and lighter shades of human experience.